Legal Director - UAE Market

About the role

The Legal Director for the UAE Market leads all legal affairs, regulatory compliance and governance matters across GSM's operations in the UAE. Acting as a strategic legal partner to the Board of Management and regional leadership, the role ensures legal soundness, risk mitigation and sustainable growth in a highly regulated mobility environment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice and consultation to the Board and senior leadership on legal, regulatory and compliance matters for UAE operations, and anticipate legal risks to support business expansion and market entry.
• Interpret, draft, review and evaluate UAE and local regulations, laws, policies, internal rules and governance documents; ensure compliance with UAE frameworks such as transportation, mobility services, labor law, data protection, competition law, ESG and consumer protection.
• Design, maintain and monitor legal compliance checklists for each UAE market.
• Oversee the drafting, negotiation and review of commercial contracts, partnerships, vendor agreements and operational legal documents, aligned with company strategy, risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop the UAE Legal team, set standards, workflows and performance expectations, and update legal documents.
• Run legal training and awareness programs for employees and act as the main contact with external law firms, regulators and authorities in UAE markets.
• Monitor regulatory changes and legal developments in UAE markets and assess legal risks of new business models, products or expansions, proposing mitigation strategies.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law.
• 10+ years of legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (Legal Director, Head of Legal or Regional Legal Lead).
• Strong experience in UAE regulatory environments, preferably in mobility, transportation, ride-hailing, logistics, energy or tech-enabled service industries.
• Solid expertise in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, commercial contracts and risk management.
• Proven ability to operate at Board and executive level, with strong business acumen and a strategic mindset.